Former South Bend school aide admits guilt in new crime

In this 2006 file photo, former Greene Primary Center teacher's aide Schmeca White is seen leaving court. White was convicted in 2006 of sexual misconduct with special needs students. She recently pleaded guilty to shoplifting and violating her probation. (South Bend Tribune File Photo/JIM RIDER)

SOUTH BEND — A former aide at Green Intermediate Center, who was convicted in 2006 of sexual misconduct with special needs students, has pleaded guilty to shoplifting and violating her probation.

Six years ago, Schmeca White, now 34, was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor, vicarious sexual gratification, and battery for dancing provocatively with a male student.

Prosecutors had alleged that seven special-needs students between the ages of 11 and 15 were victimized by White while she looked after them during the lunch hour. A jury acquitted her of six of the charges.

Sentenced to 9½ years in prison, White was released early in 2010 for good behavior, but was placed on probation.

On Thursday, White admitted to stealing items from the Meijer store on Portage Road, telling St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Roland Chamblee that she used food stamps to pay for some items, but then bagged up items she had not paid for after passing them through the self-service cash register.

“My back was up against the wall that night. I’m a single mom, I have three kids,” White said.

Chamblee asked White if she knew what she was doing was wrong.

“Yes,” White said.

White is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 9. Besides receiving up to three years in prison for a Class D felony, she also faces possible prison time for committing the crime while on probation.